Coal Will Remain Central To India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision, Says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday firmly positioned coal as a continuing pillar of India’s development journey, asserting that the fossil fuel will remain central to achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

PM Modi made the statement while sharing an article by Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, highlighting the transformation of India’s coal sector over the past decade.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India has reimagined coal not as a legacy fuel but as a next-generation energy resource aligned with sustainability goals.

He said coal will integrate seamlessly with green technologies, ensuring energy security while supporting India’s clean transition.

According to PM Modi, India’s approach balances growth, reliability, and environmental responsibility in an era of global energy uncertainty.

Official data reinforces the Prime Minister’s assertion. India recorded its highest-ever coal production in FY 2024-25, reaching 1,047.52 million tonnes, up nearly five per cent from the previous year.

Coal supply also rose sharply, touching 1,025.33 million tonnes, ensuring uninterrupted availability for power plants, industries, and consumers nationwide.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that India has nearly doubled its coal output over the last eleven years, climbing from 565.77 million tonnes in FY 2013-14 to over one billion tonnes in FY 2024-25.

He underlined that this expansion has strengthened India’s energy independence and reduced vulnerability to global fuel shocks.

No Coal Shortages in 2025

During calendar year 2025, provisional figures indicate that coal production exceeded 1,042.9 million tonnes, while supply reached 1,016 million tonnes.

The Prime Minister noted that the country reported no coal shortages during this period, reflecting robust planning and efficient logistics.

Coal remains the dominant source of energy in India’s energy mix. It contributes over 55 per cent to primary commercial energy and accounts for nearly 72 per cent of total power generation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that these numbers underline coal’s indispensable role in sustaining India’s rapid economic growth, industrial expansion, and infrastructure development.

Framing the issue geopolitically, PM Modi said India’s coal resilience provides strategic insulation amid global energy volatility.

He reiterated that India will pursue a pragmatic energy pathway, leveraging coal responsibly while scaling renewables, green hydrogen, and cleaner technologies.

The Prime Minister concluded that a confident, self-reliant energy ecosystem remains foundational to India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

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